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“There can be no free trade without exemptions,” Mykola BILOBLOTSKY is convinced

“Mr. Biloblotsky, what are the government’s priorities in trade relations with Russia for 2004?”

“In general, the top priority is no doubt a free trade zone. This is not even the goal of our embassy, but a matter of state policy. We must agree on the final wording of the agreement this year. A fundamental discussion on individual groups of goods is underway. In particular, this applies to trade in natural gas and oil.”

“As we know, Russia will insist on excluding oil and natural gas from the free trade zone. Will Ukraine insist on any exemptions?”

“Of course. There is not one free trade agreement without exemptions. Incidentally, similar exemptions are in place in the EU for both current and prospective EU member states. In this case such exemptions are economic levers of protecting one’s interests.”

“Does the mean that the ideal free trade agreement without exemptions, of which certain politicians speak in Kyiv, is out of the question?”

“There can be no such thing in principle. If we ban the import of alcohol and cigarettes, it is only natural that no one will allow us to export all we want. If a country is capable of satisfying domestic demand independently, it will limit imports. And nobody will reckon with politics.”

“Incidentally, what is you assessment of the emotional atmosphere at trade negotiations in Ukraine and Russia? Is the current armistice in the trade war only the calm before the storm or a stable trend?”

“In this sphere one can’t make forecasts that someday everything will be calm. International successes are a result of significant effort. We had difficult talks on caramel and galvanized steel, but now we can say that the The Russians have accepted our terms. This took a year, during which time I participated in various talks. In this matter you can’t relax even for one day. On December 31 we still didn’t have the last protocol on pipes signed. The Russians were forced to sign it, because on that day the preliminary agreement was to expire. We solved the problem. As for the attitude of the Russian government, it is thoroughly pragmatic. Nothing but economic interests is taken into account.”

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